{"id":43761,"date":"2023-01-05T12:33:02","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T12:33:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sheffieldwire.co.uk\/?p=43761"},"modified":"2023-02-21T19:22:47","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T19:22:47","slug":"the-wheelchair-rugby-league-world-cup-inspires-sheffields-rugby-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sheffieldwire.co.uk\/index.php\/2023\/01\/05\/the-wheelchair-rugby-league-world-cup-inspires-sheffields-rugby-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup boosts the sport’s popularity in Sheffield"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With grassroots funding, affordable tickets and roles for the rugby community, the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup has created a buzz about the sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greg Brown, 52, Head Coach of Sheffield Eagles, said: \u201cIt\u2019s been a well kept secret for a while, now everyone\u2019s seen it and they\u2019re like\u2026wow, where has this been all our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tickets to the games at the English Institute of Sport cost \u00a32.12, allowing school groups and families in their hundreds to witness Wheelchair Rugby League for the first time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sheffield Hawks Under 9s team, who were ball girls and boys for the world cup, were \u201cmesmerised\u201d by the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheffield Hawks Under 9\u2019s with Scotland\u2019s WRL team.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lisa Riches, 35, the Hawk\u2019s Child Welfare Officer, said: \u201cIt was the first time the kids had seen it, and all of them were absolutely mesmerised. They\u2019re now desperate to try it out.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a322 million has been invested into community projects by the Rugby League World Cup CreatedBy grants, allowing clubs like Sheffield Eagles to buy wheelchairs and get more people involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With eight new chairs for their first session after the World Cup, Sheffield Eagles saw a 25% increase in attendees giving wheelchair rugby a go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of them, Joe Wink, 20, said: \u201cI used to play rugby, but in the end I couldn\u2019t handle the physicality of it. This seemed like the perfect opportunity.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Butler, 42, is a Trustee of the Eagles Foundation, a charity that works closely with Sheffield Eagles. He was also an attack referee throughout the tournament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe sport is definitely on the rise, and it\u2019s amazing to see,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A new wheelchair from the Rugby League World Cup CreatedBy grant.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The cost of wheelchairs has been a barrier for the sport\u2019s growth at community level, with the \u2018ferrari-model\u2019 costing \u00a310,000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, the sport has been widely celebrated for its inclusivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is the most inclusive sport in the world. I don’t know another sport where children can play with adults, men with women, and people with and without disabilities,\u201d said Mr.Butler. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sheffield Eagle\u2019s wheelchair team practises on Mondays at 6:30pm at the Pearson Buildings at Sheffield Hallam University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019d like to get involved, you can contact their coach David Butler: david.butler@eaglesfoundation.co.uk<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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